VTA requested $900 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts Program for the Berryessa extension, the first 10-mile phase of the BART Silicon Valley project. Execution of a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for $900 million is expected by mid-March, VTA officials said.

VTA plans to break ground on the Berryessa extension in April. Construction is planned for 2012 to 2016, with system testing and passenger service to follow.

“This is great news for the BART project. It reinforces our partnership with the federal government to bring major public transportation infrastructure to Silicon Valley,” said VTA General Manager Michael Burns. “In the short term, the project will impact thousands of jobs while in the long term provide an environmentally beneficial transportation investment in Santa Clara County.”

The Berryessa extension calls for building a 10-mile, two-station line beginning south of the future BART Warm Springs Station in Fremont, Calif., through Milpitas and ending in the Berryessa area of north San Jose.